Project Documents
An embodied carbon report relies on clear project information, including drawings, specifications, material schedules, quantities and product data where available.
The information needed for an embodied carbon report depends on the project stage, building type and reporting purpose. An early design review may only need preliminary drawings and broad material assumptions, while a detailed report may require more complete documentation, quantities and product specific data.
The aim is to understand what the building is made from, how much material is being used and which assumptions should be applied to estimate embodied carbon.
Better documentation usually leads to a more reliable assessment. But this does not mean a project must be fully documented before embodied carbon can be reviewed. Early information can still be useful when the goal is to guide design decisions before they become fixed.
In Brief
Common inputs include architectural drawings, structural drawings, material schedules, specifications, façade information, services information, a bill of quantities and Environmental Product Declarations where available.
If some information is not yet available, assumptions can often be used, provided they are clearly documented in the report.
Architectural Information
Architectural drawings help define the building form, floor area, layout, envelope, internal spaces and key construction systems. They are often one of the first document sets reviewed during an embodied carbon assessment.
Useful architectural information may include plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, wall types, façade drawings, window schedules, finish schedules and general construction notes.
The drawings do not always need to be final, but they should be clear enough to understand the likely materials and quantities being assessed.
Structure
Structural information is especially important because structure can represent a significant share of embodied carbon. Concrete, steel, reinforcement, timber framing, engineered timber, masonry and foundations can all influence the result.
Useful structural documents may include footing plans, slab details, column and beam layouts, reinforcement information, structural steel schedules, timber framing details and structural specifications.
If structural information is not yet complete, an early stage assessment may rely on reasonable assumptions or benchmark quantities. These assumptions should be made clear in the report.
Materials
Material schedules and specifications help identify what products and systems are proposed for the project. They can also clarify whether the report should use generic assumptions, project specific materials or supplier specific data.
Useful information may include wall systems, roof systems, floor construction, insulation types, glazing systems, façade materials, internal linings, flooring, ceilings, joinery, finishes and external works.
The more clearly the materials are specified, the easier it is to understand the project’s embodied carbon profile.
Quantities
A bill of quantities can be very useful for an embodied carbon report because it provides measured material amounts. This can reduce reliance on assumptions and improve the reliability of the assessment.
However, not every project has a complete bill of quantities available. In those cases, quantities may be derived from drawings, schedules and reasonable assumptions based on the available information.
The report should clearly state whether quantities have been provided, measured, estimated or assumed.
Product Data
Environmental Product Declarations, often called EPDs, can provide product specific environmental data for building products. Where available, they may help refine the embodied carbon assessment beyond generic material assumptions.
Supplier information can also be useful where it confirms product type, recycled content, manufacturing process, material composition or relevant carbon data.
EPDs are not always available for every product. Where product specific data is missing, the assessment may need to rely on appropriate generic data or clearly documented assumptions.
Envelope
Façade systems can influence both embodied carbon and operational performance. Aluminium framing, glass, steel supports, insulation, membranes, fixings, cladding and shading devices can all contribute to embodied carbon.
Useful information may include façade drawings, window schedules, glazing specifications, cladding details, insulation build ups, external wall types and roof assemblies.
This information can also help the project team understand where embodied carbon decisions may interact with daylight, glare, thermal comfort and energy performance.
Building Services
Building services are not always included in every embodied carbon report, but they may be relevant for some commercial, institutional, multi residential or formal reporting contexts.
Useful services information may include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire and vertical transport documentation, depending on the project and assessment boundary.
If services information is incomplete, the report may use assumptions, benchmarks or exclusions, provided these are clearly explained.
Project Stage
At concept stage, the assessment may rely on early drawings, broad material assumptions and benchmark quantities. This can still be useful because it allows the project team to review carbon before key decisions are locked in.
At design development or documentation stage, the report can usually become more detailed because structural systems, material specifications and quantities are clearer.
For formal reporting pathways, the required documentation may be more specific and should be confirmed early.
Checklist
For most projects, the following information is helpful when available:
Early Review
Yes. In many cases, embodied carbon review is most useful before everything is final. Early review can help project teams understand the likely carbon hotspots and make more informed design decisions while changes are still possible.
The trade off is that early reports usually rely on more assumptions. This is not necessarily a problem as long as those assumptions are reasonable and clearly recorded.
As the project develops, the report can be refined with more detailed drawings, specifications, quantities and product data.
Related Pathways
A general embodied carbon report may be used for design review, material comparison or project understanding. A formal NABERS Embodied Emissions pathway may require a more specific approach. A broader Life Cycle Assessment may require additional information beyond carbon alone.
For an overview of the broader service context, visit the Embodied Carbon Report Knowledge Hub.
Summary
An embodied carbon report needs enough information to understand the building’s materials, quantities, systems and assumptions. Architectural drawings, structural information, material schedules, specifications, quantities and product data all help improve the assessment.
The report can often begin with partial documentation, but the level of confidence should always match the level of information available.
Next Step
Certified Energy can review the information you have and advise whether it is enough to begin an embodied carbon report, Life Cycle Assessment or NABERS Embodied Emissions pathway.
Read the Embodied Carbon Report Knowledge Hub